Why did Ancient Egypt decline and fall? PA @ 71

Do Now Observe the following pictures. These are all pictures of pharaohs, but something’s different about them. What is different about these pictures?

None of these people were Egyptian! Shoshenq I – pharaoh from Libya (943 – 922 BCE)

Alexander the Great – “pharaoh” from Macedonia, in northern Greece (332 – 323 BCE)

Ptolemy I, or Ptolemy Soter – pharaoh from Macedonia, in northern Greece (323-283 BCE)

Ptolemy IV, or Ptolemy Philopater – pharaoh from Macedonia, in northern Greece (221 – 205 BCE)

Octavian, later called Augustus – Roman Emperor and “pharaoh” from Rome (27 BCE-14 CE)

Trajan – Roman Emperor and “pharaoh” originally from present-day Spain (98 – 117 CE)

Why did Ancient Egypt fall? Struggles for power between religious leaders (priests) and military leaders (pharaoh). Weak, corrupt pharaohs wasted Egyptian riches and damaged Egypt’s reputation. The attacks of the Sea People (1204-1175 BCE) further weakened the Egyptian Empire.

Why did Ancient Egypt fall? Main reason – IRON! The rest of the world developed iron weapons (the Iron Age), but Egypt fell behind in iron production. Weak and backwards, Egypt would be dominated by foreign armies over many centuries.

The “foreign pharaohs” From 1000 to 30 BCE, Libyans, Nubians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonian Greeks and Romans all conquered Egypt and proclaimed their ruler “pharaoh.” Even though they were from another country, these “foreign pharaohs” made sure they looked as Egyptian as possible – at least in stone.

Augustus (30 BCE – 14 CE) – First Emperor of Rome

Activity – the Last Pharaoh Read the following article about Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Fill in the graphic organizer comparing her with Hatshepsut.

Hatshepsut Cleopatra VII